The slippery slope of Bally EM Ownership...

[Danial]

Good evening, guys and gals...FNG here.  New to the forum and EM slots but not new to the coin-op hobby having already enjoyed a number of arcade, pinball and antique slots over the years.


I begin my Bally EM slot affliction tomorrow with the purchase of two EMs I found locally, very reasonably priced.  Supposedly "refurbished" and in "excellent condition" - both subjective descriptions so we shall see if that bears out.


I've lurked here on and off over the past few years so I figured it was time to register and show my "face".  There appears to be a lot of good information from good people here.


I don't know the models yet and I only have these very crappy pics provided by the seller so, assuming I bring these home, I'll have some fun figuring them out inside and out.


Cheers!


Danial

[slcjeeper]

The larger machine appears to be a model 952 lightning. It’s a single line 5 coin multiplier with a double progressive. Lightning signifies a JPO or Jackpot Only. When it hits, payouts are big. The belly glass wouldn’t have been original to this machine. The smaller machine is a 785 single coin double progressive. It’s a fruit machine and pays small amounts more often. Share some clear pics when you get them.

[Danial]

Thanks for the ID assist!  Will definitely post some good pics when I get them home. 

[Simple Sam]

I saw those two machines on the Las Vegas CL and thought they were pretty interesting, the second machine in particular. If you paid the price I saw in the ad, it was a great deal even if they need work.


Sadly, my experience with CL sellers is that machines always need work.  You will need to learn to work on them or find a local company that can service them.  I know KLAR (sponsor) is in Las Vegas and services Bally EMs although I have no experience with them.

[Danial]

Those are the ones.  I felt for the package, two machines, two stands, it seemed like a pretty fair deal compared to the others I have seen over the past couple years.  I'm holding out hope that they are as advertised and as explained to me in their emails.  I'll know for sure tomorrow.

[slcjeeper]

I thought they were a really good deal as well!  Even if they need a little work, as long as they're complete, they're easily repairable. They'll last you a lifetime.

[wolftalk]

the belly glass on the 952 may have been the original if it's a design a casino used in many machines ... there's at least 17 versions of the 952 lightning, and some the only difference is the glass.


if it's the standard bally, it'll say 952-D on the model number plate.  There's multiple variants of that model version with different payback percentages.


I don't have a sahara specific model for a 785 on my incomplete list.


while no guarantee, the model number plate is a better bet for what the machine is ... it's more work to swap out the guts than the glass :-)


if the machines don't come with paperwork, you'll find some on http://bingo.cdyn.com/slots/


the best book I've seen is the "owners pictorial guide to bally slot machines".  The gambler's general store in vegas usually has it at cover price.

[rdaniel]

I live in Summerlin. If you need any assistance repairing the machines let me know.